Michael Glennon

RTÉ Sport Journalist

16 March 2013; The Italian players celebrate their victory as Brian O'Briscoll and his Ireland team-mates applaud the Italian's from the pitch after the game. RBS Six Nations Rugby Championship, Italy v Ireland, Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy. Picture credi

Six Nations: Close encounters of the Italian kind

While Ireland have traditionally had it easy against Italy in the Six Nations in Dublin, the Azzurri will feel their time is now.

Rugby • 14 Feb

13 February 2026; The team huddle during an Ireland Rugby captain's run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Farrell has done his talking, now for players to react

A new-look Ireland side need to react to defeat to France as Italy come looking for a first Six Nations win in Dublin, writes Michael Glennon.

Rugby • 14 Feb

11 February 2026; Edwin Edogbo during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Zebo: Edogbo ready to 'set the game alight'

Simon Zebo has backed Edwin Edogbo to "set the game alight" when he makes his international debut for Ireland against Italy on Saturday.

Rugby • 12 Feb

12 February 2026; Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland Rugby media conference at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Farrell eager for new blood to take their chance

Andy Farrell has laid down the gauntlet to his team and is expecting a big response against Italy after a harrowing loss in France.

Rugby • 12 Feb

'You always have to go through a little bit of pain'

Andy Farrell says all teams have to experience a little "bit of pain" as Ireland try to bounce back from a series of dispiriting losses.

Rugby • 13 Feb

10 February 2026; Cormac Izuchukwu during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Six changes for Ireland with Ulster pair to make 6N bow

Andy Farrell has made six changes to his starting XV for the visit of Italy, with Ulster pair Robert Baloucoune and Cormac Izuchukwu in line for Six Nations debuts.

Rugby • 12 Feb

7 February 2026; The Ireland team huddle after the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade Amie Giral in Perpignan, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Three changes for Ireland Under-20s to take on Italy

Ireland Under-20s coach Andrew Browne has made three changes to his side to take on Italy in Cork in Virgin Media Park on Friday night, with Rob Carney, Lee Fitzpatrick and Joe Finn coming into the team.

Rugby • 11 Feb

22 March 2025; Referee Hollie Davidson during the Women's Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Six Nations history beckons for referee Davidson

Irish rugby fans are well used to seeing Hollie Davidson as the woman in the middle but this Saturday marks a new altitude for a referee who has crashed through the glass ceiling.

Rugby • 12 Feb

5 February 2026; Joe McCarthy of Ireland during the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

McCarthy says Ireland still have 'belief' after Bleus

A marked man before the game, and a lightning rod for what went wrong during it, Joe McCarthy admits the defeat to France has been eating away at him.

Rugby • 13 Feb

10 February 2026; Tadhg Furlong during an Ireland Rugby squad training session at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Fogarty: 'Brilliant' to have Furlong back

Tadhg Furlong trained fully with the Ireland squad on Tuesday and is expected to come into the team to face Italy on Saturday.

Rugby • 10 Feb